DCR also plans to replace signs, including some that still bear the agency’s former name, the Metropolitian District Commission.

DCR is soliciting suggestions for other improvements as well, Fox said. It will hold a public meeting, probably in January, to get public input, but is also accepting ideas through its community relations hotline at 626-4973.

“This is not a time to be spending huge amounts of money on a birthday party,” Fox said, but added that physical improvements to the park can be a “celebratory thing.”

May 5, 2010 will mark the 20th anniversary of the debut of the park, which runs along the MBTA Orange Line’s path between Forest Hills in JP and Back Bay Station. The park and the Orange Line took the place of what was going to be a superhighway before massive community opposition killed the plan.

DCR recently completed other improvements to the JP stretch of the park,
including repaving paths and rehabbing the outdoor Kelly ice-skating rink.

One playground, at Minton Street, is already under construction. That playground will get new equipment and a fresh play surface, Fox said.

The other three playgrounds slated for improvements include Amory Street, Williams Street and Lamartine Street near the Stony Brook T Station.